OASE74

Invention

2007

Abstract

Invention operates at the centre of artistic identity. As an important and almost intangible element of the architects capacities, it often remains unsaid or unspoken. Invention denotes the moment where the genius of the architect-artist surfaces. Moreover, invention is one of the few terms that bridges the janus-faced identity of the architect who is at once artist and engineer. In both these fields the issue of invention is regarded as crucial. This issue of OASE investigates specific moments when -designers discover new forms of expression. In Western Europe and in modern times (since the eighteenth century) this idea of invention has been generally understood as break with -traditional forms. Hence, the history of modern architecture describes these moments of invention as leading to a new -formal paradigm or style that is often shared by a school or artistic tendency. OASE 74 offers a series of studies of ‘moments of invention’ out of the post 1945 history of architecture. Architectural projects by Hans Scharoun, Norman Foster, Alejandro de la Sota and Fernand Pouillon are discussed. In addition this issue presents a series of interviews with contemporary architects (Gigon & Guyer, Xaveer De Geyter, Neutelings & Riedijk) that place the invention of new typological and tectonic solutions at the heart of their design practice.

OASE #98 about Narrating Urban Landscapes was presented on 1 February 2018 at the University of Greenwich, London. Lectures by Bruno Notteboom, Kris Scheerlink and Klaske Havik. Image: Klaske Havik, editor of OASE, during the presentation.

Especially for the 25th anniversary of the Kunsthal in Rotterdam OASE editor Véronique Patteeuw, talked to architect Rem Koolhaas about the realisation, current function and the future of the building. Also OASE #94 about OMA was discussed!

On 19 October 2017 OASE and the KU Leuven organised a workshop for students from KU Leuven and TU Delft. Later on OASE #98 was launched by the editors of this issue and the Scientific Board of OASE. Maarten Overdijk (Hogeschool voor de Kunsten Utrecht) and Bas Smets (Bureau Bas Smets) gave lectures.

On 18 July 2017 member of the OASE editorial staff Veronique Patteeuw discussed her work as co-editor of OASE #97 at the Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation in New York. Click here for more details.